According to the Mahavansa, a number of settlements were built by the ancient Sinhalese following the establishment of the city of Tambapanni by the founding father of the Sinhalese nation, Prince Vijaya, about the 6th century B.C. Anuradhagama near the Kadamba river (Malvatu Oya) was built by Anuradha while Upatissagama on the bank of the Gambhira river (probably a tributory of the Malvatu Oya) was built by Upatissa. Three other ministers also founded, each for himself, Ujjeni, Uruvela and Vijitha - Nagara. There can be little doubt that this Vijitha - Nagara was initially greater than Anuradhapura (as Anuradhagama was later known) in extent and population.

Vijithapura was the foremost metropolis of ancient Sri Lanka and is today in the outskirts of the famous ancient city of Polonnaruwa. The oldest city of Vijithapura indicated in the Mahavamsa as having 3 moats, the remains of which are clearly indicated in the aerial photographs and located between Kaduruwela and the new town of Polonnaruwa.